National Organization Requiring Rebuilding

A Case Study

A national organization serving a population with a debilitating disorder had been stunted in its growth by a lack of leadership at the staff and board level. Before we could effectively begin the recruiting process, we completed a comprehensive organization assessment with staff, board, and critical stakeholders. From this assessment, we created competencies for a new chief executive and assisted in board development to re-energize and grow board talent. After a national search, with the active participation of board and staff, a new chief executive was selected. To maximize success, we provided best practices for the board and helped define performance expectations for the new chief executive.

“As Chairman of the American Tinnitus Association, and a member of the executive search committee that engaged your executive search services, I would like to express my appreciation for the work you did in helping us find and select the right candidate for the position of CEO of our nonprofit organization.

The process took several months. In that time, you contacted and previewed at least a dozen viable candidates. You then provided us copious background notes on the five top possibilities. After our telephone interviews with this group under your monitoring, we narrowed our choice down to two candidates to come to our national headquarters for personal interviews. Either candidate would have been a good choice; our final decision was aided by suggestions by you. The individual we have finally selected for the CEO position has so far met our expectations.

I found that the process of the executive search itself opened up new insights on governance of a non-profit organization. What the board should be doing, how we should measure executive performance, the working relationship between directors and staff — these issues and others were in many cases prompted by your observations. Thank you for the professional work you did for the ATA.”

— Scott C. Mitchell, Chairman, American Tinnitus Association

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When Leaders Leave

When Leaders Leave was created by Priscilla Rosenwald and Lesley Mallow Wendell as a forum for addressing nonprofit leadership transition issues. Their book, "When Leaders Leave," is now available.
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